Portland Community College's ESOL Conversation Group
Project Description
I chose to volunteer on a weekly basis with Portland Community College's ESOL conversation group. The group exists to help international students practice and develop their English language skills through conversation. As a native-English speaker, I was able to help engage English Language Learners in conversation, and help them develop their language skills. Part of my volunteer experience also included helping to prepare a lesson plan that will be used to teach international students during a language and cultural workshop that will take place during Winter term of 2016. I plan to also help teach this workshop with my group superviser.
I chose to volunteer on a weekly basis with Portland Community College's ESOL conversation group. The group exists to help international students practice and develop their English language skills through conversation. As a native-English speaker, I was able to help engage English Language Learners in conversation, and help them develop their language skills. Part of my volunteer experience also included helping to prepare a lesson plan that will be used to teach international students during a language and cultural workshop that will take place during Winter term of 2016. I plan to also help teach this workshop with my group superviser.
Why I Chose to Volunteer with this Organization
I chose to volunteer with this group because I am planning to teach abroach in the near future. Volunteering with the conversation group has helped me gain experience working with international students, and also allows me to contribute to the community.
I chose to volunteer with this group because I am planning to teach abroach in the near future. Volunteering with the conversation group has helped me gain experience working with international students, and also allows me to contribute to the community.
Brief History
The PCC ESOL conversation group is believed to have been founded sometime in the 1990's by a retired English teacher. Currently, the group meets six days a week, Monday- Saturday, and is led by several different group leaders.
The PCC ESOL conversation group is believed to have been founded sometime in the 1990's by a retired English teacher. Currently, the group meets six days a week, Monday- Saturday, and is led by several different group leaders.
Personal Responsibilities
As a native-English speaker, I am responsible for helping international students practice speaking English and for helping them learn more about U.S. culture. My volunteer work also requires that I help make group members feel welcome and included in this community.
As a native-English speaker, I am responsible for helping international students practice speaking English and for helping them learn more about U.S. culture. My volunteer work also requires that I help make group members feel welcome and included in this community.
Significance of Work
This group is a significant part of the PCC community. It provides a safe and welcoming environment for international students, and gives them an opportunity to develop their English speaking abilities, while learning about U.S. culture and meeting new people
This group is a significant part of the PCC community. It provides a safe and welcoming environment for international students, and gives them an opportunity to develop their English speaking abilities, while learning about U.S. culture and meeting new people
Goals
My goals for this volunteer experience consist of gaining more experience working with international students, helping other students, and to also helping to contribute to the sense of community that this group provides to students from all over the world.
My goals for this volunteer experience consist of gaining more experience working with international students, helping other students, and to also helping to contribute to the sense of community that this group provides to students from all over the world.
Reflection
Volunteering with the conversation group has been a very positive experience. I have been able to learn more about teaching the English language, I've met a lot of new people, learned more about other cultures and countries, and have also made new friends. I've also been able to contribute to community building through this program, and have been able to work towards helping make international students feel welcomed and included on PCC's campus. I've really enjoyed working with this group, and plan to continue volunteering even after I am finished with my senior capstone experience. Volunteering with this group has led to further opportunities: I plan to help teach an English workshop that I helped prepare during the Winter 2015 term, with one of the group leaders. We prepared a lesson plan on teaching phone eticacy to international students, and plan to teach together Winter term of 2016.
Volunteering with the conversation group has been a very positive experience. I have been able to learn more about teaching the English language, I've met a lot of new people, learned more about other cultures and countries, and have also made new friends. I've also been able to contribute to community building through this program, and have been able to work towards helping make international students feel welcomed and included on PCC's campus. I've really enjoyed working with this group, and plan to continue volunteering even after I am finished with my senior capstone experience. Volunteering with this group has led to further opportunities: I plan to help teach an English workshop that I helped prepare during the Winter 2015 term, with one of the group leaders. We prepared a lesson plan on teaching phone eticacy to international students, and plan to teach together Winter term of 2016.